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Canadian Olympic Heritage

Cover of book, MONTRAL, THE OLYMPIC CITY Holding the Olympic Games in a city inevitably leaves traces, not only on the landscape, but also in the memories of the athletes, the spectators and the residents. The emblems of the Montréal and Calgary Olympic Games are imprinted upon the Canadian collective memory. The torch relay allowed tens of thousands of Canadians to share the olympic experience.

From a cultural perspective, the programs developed for the occasion of the Games made it possible for the arts to expand in several regions, including Alberta. Many exhibitions organized for the Games subsequently travelled across the country, which allowed them to reach a larger audience. The spillover effect on tourism and the economy was considerable.

Photograph of people walking on the pathway leading to the Montral Olympic Stadium, 1976 The preparations for the Olympic Games had an inevitable influence on urban development. The Games held in Montréal and Calgary required the construction of new sports facilities, new hotels and parking lots, and the improvement of existing sites. The Games therefore left behind a significant architectural heritage.

The Olympic Games leaves its mark on the landscape and in the collective memory...

Photograph of the Montral Olympic Village buildings, 1976 In Montréal, the Games made it possible to develop the Olympic Park. The construction of new sports facilities, including the Centre Claude-Robillard, made it possible to enhance certain neighbourhoods. The athletes' village was transformed into housing, and the former velodrome became the Montréal Biodôme. Similarly, the road networks, transportation, parks and trails improved as a result.

Photograph of the Canmore Olympic Information Centre, Calgary 1988
Aerial photograph of McMahon Stadium in Calgary, 1988
In order to meet the requirements of the Games, the city of Calgary saw the development and construction of olympic facilities. The Olympic Park Canada, the Canadian Centre of Sport Excellence and the Olympic Oval were built specifically for the occasion; the McMahon Stadium and Stampede Corral were renovated. These buildings and the numerous facilities that were required in order to hold the Olympic Games benefit the Canadian population today. There was also a considerable spillover effect on tourism and the economy.

...helps to make this world a better world that is more tolerant of our differences...

The Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games which will take place in Vancouver in 2010 will also leave behind a legacy. The Vancouver 2010 Bid Corporation is placing a special emphasis on a "sustainable legacy." Existing buildings and sites will be renovated and improved, and new sports facilities, ultramodern sites and housing will be built, which must take into account the protection of the environment. Planned transportation infrastucture must be designed so that it will be adequate during and after the Games. The facilities intended for the athletes will be transferred to the cities of Vancouver and Whistler for housing. In addition to generating profits, the Vancouver Winter Games must have a positive impact on tourism in the city, the province and Canada. Another goal is to promote sports and the physical, mental and social health of the Canadian population.

Montréal and Calgary have gained international notoriety. They are now among the ranks of olympic cities, as Vancouver will be eventually. It is an undeniable fact that the Olympic Games give rise to a feeling of national pride, but one of the greatest legacies of these Games remains the spreading of the olympic ideal throughout the Canadian population.

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